Tuesday, February 03, 2015

Valentine’s Day will be here before you know it, and that brings one word to mind: CANDY! (Were you going to say LOVE?) Yes, when it comes to my children anyway, they look forward to an abundance of sweets, especially Mike and Ike’s Valentine’s Day Varieties: Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon and Passion Mix! Their special packaging hits the shelves just in time for Cupid’s favorite day.

Which one will you get? If you love sweet, like I do, you’ll want to try Mike and Ike’s Passion Mix blend, which includes Paradise Punch, Strawberry, Grape and Cherry flavors. (I can’t get enough of those Strawberry ones.) If you like something with a little more kick, you’ll want to pick up Mike and Ike’s Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon flavor! This classic cinnamon flavor just might add some spice to your love life! Both flavors come in a special 5-ounce box and retail between $1 and $1.39 (definitely cheaper than flowers)!

If you’re feeling really creative, you can use Mike and Ike candies to make the following Valentine’s recipes!

INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Line two cookie sheets with parchment paper and set aside.
2. Using an electric mixer, cream together the margarine, shortening and ¾ cups sugar. Add the egg and beat until thoroughly combined.
3. In a separate bowl, combine all dry ingredients. Add the dry ingredients (except the candy) into the creamed mixture and mix until just combined. Add the chopped candy and mix until the candy is evenly distributed, a few minutes more.
4. Refrigerate the dough for at least 15 minutes (this makes it easier to handle).
5. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.
6. Combine the remaining sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Form dough into balls the size of small walnuts (I use a tablespoon cookie scoop). Roll the balls of cookie dough in the cinnamon sugar.
7. Place the cookies two inches apart on the cookie sheets. Bake for 8 minutes, rotating the cookie sheets in the oven at the halfway point. They are done when they look puffed in the middle and slightly brown at the edges (the tops of the cookies will form cracks). Be careful not to overcook.
8. Remove cookie sheet from the oven and let cookies sit on it for another minute or so before removing to cooling rack; cookies will flatten out as they cool.
9. These cookies are best served warm, straight out of the oven, but they can be stored in an airtight container for up to two days.

I hope you’ll pick up Mike and Ike’s limited edition Valentine’s Day varieties for the special people in your life. To learn more about Mike and Ike’s products, visit www.mikeandike.com and www.hottamales.com.

GIVEAWAY

One lucky winner will receive Mike and Ike’s Passion Mix and Hot Tamales Fierce Cinnamon in Valentine’s Day packaging! Enter through the Rafflecopter form below. This giveaway is open to U.S. residents only and ends at 11:59 PM EST on Friday, February 13, 2015.